Replica regulator with continuous output correction

Abstract

Circuits for regulating a voltage or current to a load(s). In one example, a circuit may include a first amplifier providing an amplifier output signal, the first amplifier having at least a first input and a second input, the first input receiving a voltage reference signal; a first transistor receiving the amplifier output signal, the first transistor having a transistor output; at least one resistor coupled between the transistor output and the second input of the first amplifier and defining a feedback voltage signal node; a second transistor in parallel with the first transistor, the second transistor receiving the amplifier output signal, the second transistor providing a regulated output signal of the circuit; a second amplifier receiving the output signal of the second transistor and the transistor output of the first transistor, the second amplifier providing a control signal; and a circuit element coupled between the feedback voltage signal node and ground, the circuit element receiving as a control the control signal of the second amplifier.

1. A circuit for regulating an output signal provided to a load, comprising:
 a first amplifier providing an amplifier output signal, the first amplifier having at least a first input and a second input, the first input receiving a voltage reference signal; 
 a first transistor receiving the amplifier output signal, the first transistor having a transistor output; 
 at least one resistor coupled between the transistor output and the second input of the first amplifier and defining a feedback voltage signal node; 
 a second transistor coupled with the first transistor, the second transistor receiving the amplifier output signal, the second transistor providing a regulated output signal of the circuit; 
 a second amplifier receiving the output signal of the second transistor and the transistor output of the first transistor, the second amplifier providing a control signal; and 
 a circuit element coupled between the feedback voltage signal node and ground, the circuit element receiving as a control the control signal of the second amplifier, the circuit element further comprises a first current source coupled with and responsive to the control signal of the second amplifier. 
 
   
   
     2. The circuit of  claim 1 , wherein the circuit element further comprises:
 a second resistor; and 
 a third transistor, the third transistor having a gate coupled with the control signal of the second amplifier, the third transistor coupled with the second resistor. 
 
   
   
     3. The circuit of  claim 1 , wherein the circuit element further comprises:
 a third transistor; and 
 a fourth transistor, the fourth transistor having a gate coupled with the control signal of the second amplifier, the fourth transistor coupled with the third transistor. 
 
   
   
     4. The circuit of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second current source coupled with the first current source. 
 
   
   
     5. The circuit of  claim 4 , wherein the second current source provides a fixed current. 
   
   
     6. The circuit of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a third transistor coupled with the second transistor, the third transistor receiving the amplifier output signal, the third transistor providing a second regulated output signal of the circuit. 
 
   
   
     7. The circuit of  claim 1 , wherein the first transistor is an n-channel transistor. 
   
   
     8. The circuit of  claim 1 , wherein the second transistor is an n-channel transistor. 
   
   
     9. A regulator circuit, comprising:
 a first amplifier providing an amplifier output signal, the first amplifier having at least a first input and a second input, the first input receiving a voltage reference signal; 
 a first transistor receiving the amplifier output signal, the first transistor having a transistor output; 
 at least one resistor coupled between the transistor output and the second input of the first amplifier and defining a feedback voltage signal node; 
 a second transistor coupled with the first transistor, the second transistor receiving the amplifier output signal, the second transistor providing a regulated output signal of the circuit; 
 a second amplifier receiving a second reference voltage and the output signal of the second transistor, the second amplifier providing a control signal, the second reference voltage decoupled from the first amplifier; and 
 a circuit element coupled between the feedback voltage signal node and ground, the circuit element receiving as a control the control signal of the second amplifier. 
 
   
   
     10. The regulator circuit of  claim 9 , wherein the circuit element further comprises:
 a second resistor; and 
 a third transistor, the third transistor having a gate coupled with the control signal of the second amplifier, the third transistor coupled with the second resistor. 
 
   
   
     11. The regulator circuit of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a third transistor coupled with the second transistor, the third transistor receiving the amplifier output signal, the third transistor providing a second regulated output signal of the circuit. 
 
   
   
     12. The regulator circuit of  claim 9 , wherein the first transistor is an n-channel transistor. 
   
   
     13. The regulator circuit of  claim 9 , wherein the second transistor is an n-channel transistor. 
   
   
     14. A regulator circuit, comprising:
 a first amplifier providing an amplifier output signal, the first amplifier having at least a first input and a second input, the first input receiving a voltage reference signal; 
 a first transistor receiving the amplifier output signal, the first transistor having a transistor output; 
 at least one resistor coupled between the transistor output and the second input of the first amplifier and defining a feedback voltage signal node; 
 a second transistor coupled with the first transistor, the second transistor receiving the amplifier output signal, the second transistor providing a regulated output signal of the circuit; 
 a second amplifier receiving the transistor output of the second transistor, the second amplifier providing a control signal; 
 a circuit element coupled between the feedback voltage signal node and ground; and 
 a third transistor coupled with the second transistor, the third transistor having a gate coupled with the control output of the second amplifier, the third transistor having an output coupled with the output of the second transistor. 
 
   
   
     15. The regulator circuit of  claim 14 , wherein the circuit element is a resistor. 
   
   
     16. The regulator circuit of  claim 14 , wherein the second amplifier also receives the transistor output of the first transistor. 
   
   
     17. The regulator circuit of  claim 14 , wherein the second amplifier also receives a second voltage reference signal. 
   
   
     18. The regulator circuit of  claim 14 , wherein the first, second and third transistors are n-channel transistors. 
   
   
     19. The regulator circuit of  claim 14 , wherein the third transistor is substantially identical to the second transistor.